kubens

List the namespaces

$ kubens

$ kubens [name]

$ kubens -

kubens [NAMESPACE]
kubens -
kubens --current
kubens --set-default [NAMESPACE]
kubens --unset-default
kubens --help
kubens --version

[NAMESPACE]
    Switches to the specified Kubernetes namespace. If omitted, lists all available namespaces in the current context.

- or --previous
    Switches to the previously active Kubernetes namespace.

-c or --current
    Displays the name of the currently active Kubernetes namespace.

--set-default [NAMESPACE]
    Sets a default namespace that will be used for new contexts if no namespace is specified. If [NAMESPACE] is omitted, it sets the current namespace as default.

--unset-default
    Removes the default namespace setting for new contexts.

-h or --help
    Displays the help message and usage information for kubens.

-v or --version
    Shows the version information of the kubens command.

The kubens command is a powerful and convenient utility designed to simplify the process of switching between Kubernetes namespaces. It acts as a wrapper around the verbose kubectl config set-context command, allowing users to rapidly change their active Kubernetes namespace with a single, intuitive command. By default, running kubens without any arguments lists all available namespaces in the current Kubernetes context, making it easy to discover and select the desired namespace.

This tool is widely used by developers and operations teams to improve workflow efficiency when working with multiple namespaces, eliminating the need to repeatedly type long kubectl commands. It works by directly modifying the active context's namespace entry within your kubeconfig file. Often installed as part of the kubectx project, kubens is an essential companion for anyone frequently interacting with Kubernetes clusters, streamlining the navigation across different logical environments or projects within a single cluster.

kubens relies on a properly configured kubeconfig file and an active Kubernetes context. It modifies the kubeconfig file directly to change the namespace, so ensure appropriate permissions. It is not an official part of the kubectl distribution and is typically installed as part of the kubectx project, meaning its availability depends on that installation.

The kubens command provides functionality to set or unset a default namespace for newly created or used Kubernetes contexts. Using --set-default [NAMESPACE] allows you to define a specific namespace that kubens will automatically apply when you switch to a context that does not have an explicit namespace defined, or when creating a new context. This can be incredibly useful for ensuring consistency across your environments, especially if you consistently work within a particular namespace across various clusters or projects. The --unset-default option removes this global default setting.

kubens was developed by Ahmet Alp Balkan as part of the kubectx project. It emerged from the need to streamline the frequent context and namespace switching operations that Kubernetes users perform daily, which were cumbersome using native kubectl config commands. Released as an open-source tool, it quickly gained widespread adoption in the Kubernetes community due to its significant productivity improvements and user-friendly interface.

kubectx(1), kubectl(1), kubectl-config(1)